Vatican urges Israel to prevent "price tag" attacks on Christians

The Vatican has asked Israeli authorities to clamp down on racist hate crimes against Palestinian Christians. The push comes after Vatican owned properties were graffitied in Jerusalem by Jewish extremists.

The Vatican said on Wednesday that it is planning to prepare a series of measures to inform the public opinion about the present situation in the city. The measures are reportedly aimed at reminding Israeli officials of their responsibilities with regard to properties of the Vatican.

On Monday, the Vatican said graffiti reading “Death to Arabs and Christians and those who hate Israel” was daubed over offices belonging to the Assembly of Bishops at the Notre Dame center which is a Vatican-owned complex in the city.

The Vatican added that the incident took place “two weeks before Pope Francis’s visit to” the city.